Case Study: Swain County High School, Bryson City, North Carolina

This case study details how a small, rural high school in an economically disadvantaged area of western North Carolina made dramatic gains in school improvement by replacing general-track courses with a challenging academic and career/technical curriculum for all students. Swain County High School created a new school culture of high expectations for students and teachers, and it concentrated on preparing all students for postsecondary studies without having to take remedial courses. The school also instituted a program of extra help to ensure that all students meet its new, rigorous academic standards. As a result of the school's commitments to improvement and raising student achievement, 83 percent of Swain County students completed either a college-technical preparatory or a college-preparatory curriculum.

Keywords: school culture, raising expectations, extra help, guidance and advisement, community involvement

(04V41); 24 pages; $1 each

Goal that it reflects: 5. All recent high school graduates have solid academic preparation and are ready for postsecondary education and a career.

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